Shloka 2
Bhīṣma’s Appraisal of Pāṇḍava-Alliance Warriors (Śikhaṇḍin, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and Allied Kings)
यदि कौतूहलं तेडद्य पाण्डवानां बले नृप । रथसंख्यां शृणुष्व त्वं सहैभिर्वसुधाधिपै:
yadi kautūhalaṁ te ’dya pāṇḍavānāṁ bale nṛpa | rathasaṅkhyāṁ śṛṇuṣva tvaṁ sahaibhir vasudhādhipaiḥ ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Ô roi, si aujourd’hui tu désires connaître la force des Pāṇḍava, écoute : je te dirai le nombre de leurs chars, ainsi que les rois alliés qui se tiennent à leurs côtés.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent kingship: decisions in conflict should be informed by clear knowledge of forces and alliances, not by impulse. Curiosity is redirected into disciplined listening and factual assessment.
Bhīṣma addresses the king and offers to describe the Pāṇḍavas’ military strength by enumerating their chariots and the allied rulers supporting them, setting up a strategic appraisal before war.